Sam Patterson joined the ORU coaching staff on May 3, 2017, joining former head coach Paul Mills' staff after 13 seasons at Baylor. Patterson’s career has included great postseason success. He has coached in 2 Elite Eights (2010, 2012), 5 Sweet Sixteens (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021), 20 NCAA Tournament games, won an NIT Championship (2013), and captured 2 Conference Tournament Championships (2021, 2023) and an outright regular season Conference Championship (2023).
He has helped the Golden Eagles reach new heights during his tenure at ORU. During the 2022-23 campaign he helped the Golden Eagles achieve a 30-5 overall record and an undefeated, 18-0, Summit League record. This was the second Summit League championship and second NCAA Tournament appearance in a 3-year span. During the 2020-21 season, he was part of a legendaryrun through the NCAA Tournament as just the second No. 15 seed in tournament history to reach the NCAA Sweet 16, posting wins over No. 2 seed Ohio State and No. 7 seed Florida. ORU also claimed its first Summit League tournament championship and NCAA appearance since 2008 winning three games in three days. The Golden Eagles closed the 2021 season leading the NCAA in 3-pointers made per game (11.1) and free-throw percentage (82.1), while having the 14th-highest scoring offense in the nation (81.1).
During his time at ORU, Patterson has been instrumental helping oversee the offensive side of the game. Following the 2022-23 season, ORU achieved incredible success in a number of offensive categories. ORU ranked 3rd in the country in scoring (83.3). According to KenPom.com, ORU had the 32nd most efficient offense in the country. ORU was 2nd in the country in 3pt shooting, finishing with 10.7 made 3ptrs per game. ORU was 6th in the country in Assist/Turnover Ratio and ranked 1st in the country in Turnover Percentage, only turning the ball over 13.2% of the time.
Additionally, since his arrival at Oral Roberts, the Golden Eagles have had 4 All-Americans (Max Abmas – 2021, 2022, 2023, Kevin Obanor – 2021). 2 Conference Players of the Year (Max Abmas – 2021, 2023). One Defensive Player of the Year (Connor Vanover – 2023). Multiple 1st Team and 2nd Team All-Conference players (Max Abmas – 2021, 2022, 2023, Kevin Obanor – 2021, Connor Vanover – 2023, Issac McBride – 2023, 2024). Patterson has worked specifically with the development of guard play during his time with the Golden Eagles.
Patterson’s strong Texas ties have helped land 13 players from the state of Texas since his arrival in 2017. He also has strong international connections and has recruited and signed players from all over the world. Patterson has been responsible for recruiting and signing international players from Latvia, Estonia, Netherlands, Slovania, and Spain during his tenure with the Golden Eagles.
Prior to his time at Oral Roberts, Patterson spent 13 seasons at Baylor University. From 2010-17, he was the Director of Video Operations under future HOF head coach Scott Drew. He oversaw a number of areas within the Baylor program such as video breakdowns, recruiting edits, scouting reports, non-conference scheduling, summer camps, and more. From 2008-2010, Patterson was a graduate assistant at Baylor University, following 4 years as a student manager from 2004-2008 in Waco, Texas.
During his time at Baylor University, he has coached a number of players that went on to play in the NBA. Patterson coached 7 players who were drafted during his stint at Baylor University (Ekpe Udoh – 2010, Quincy Miller – 2012, Quincy Acy – 2012, Perry Jones – 2012, Pierre Jackson – 2013, Cory Jefferson – 2014, Taurean Prince – 2016). Of those 7 players drafted, two were Lottery Picks (Ekpe Udoh – 2010, Taurean Prince – 2016). He has also coached a number of undrafted players that have gone on to have successful NBA careers, including Royce O’Neale and Ish Wainright.
In addition to Baylor, Patterson has been a camp coach at over 20 summer basketball camps nationwide, including Notre Dame, Florida, Ohio State, Butler and Five Star Basketball.
The San Antonio, Texas, native graduated with his bachelor's degree in sociology in 2008 and his master's degree in sport management in May 2010.
Patterson married the former Tricia Lovvorn in May 2010, and they have three daughters, Joy, Ellie and Emma.
